It's Getting Warmer, Stay Hydrated

If you want to perform at your best in sport or exercise, you've got to keep your body adequately hydrated throughout your activity. Sweating away even just 1 percent of your body weight (a pound and a half for a 150-pound person) can place added stress on your cardiovascular system. Losing 2-3 percent of your weight can impair your physical performance. Dehydration can also affect your mental sharpness and hand-eye coordination putting you at a disadvantage on the court, playing field or other competitive arena. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends the following guidelines for keeping the body hydrated: 

* BEFORE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: Drink at least 16 ounces of fluid about two hours beforehand. 

* DURING ACTIVITY: Drink 5 to 10 ounces every 15 to 20 minutes. 

* AFTER ACTIVITY: Drink 16 ounces for each pound of body weight lost during activity
Taken from Bally Fitness